Washer sorting and stringing machine



Sept. 7 1926. 1593548.

A. SCHNENBERGER WASHER 'SOARTING AND STRINGING MACHINE JFiled NOVv 24, 1924 6 Sheets-Sheet l I I f W Jnvcuo I @mmm s1ept.7,1926. 1,598,748

A'. SCHONENBERGER WASHER SORTING AND STRINGING MACHINE Filed Nov. 24, 1924 Sweets-sheet :f6 ci @H501 nu# Sept. 7 1926. i

A. SCHQNENBERGER WASHER SORTINGl AND STRINGING MMZ'IIINE!V sept. 7,1926.- 1,598,748

A. SCHONENBERGER WASHER SORTING AND STRNGlNG MACHINE Filed Nov. 24, 192;: -e sheetsheet a Sept. 7 1926r 1,598,748

A. SCHQNENBERGER WASHER. svoRTING AND STRINGING MACHINE Filed Nov. 24I 192.4 T Sheffvgwsheet 6 Patented Sept. 7, 19215.

noirs sorronENBnRenn, or SPRINGFIELD Townisnrr, spirivur COUNTY, onto, as-

ANI) FLOYD SHANNOI'LYF AKRON, Oli-H0.

SGRTNG- ANI) STRXNrlNt-i MACHINE.

Application lled November This invention relates to new7 and useful means for automatlcally sortmg and stringv ing washers or other perforated articles.

on a wire, or other elongated member.

A further object is to provide a machine which will automatically sort and string concavo-convex washers and coaxially position the same in nested relation whereby the .same may be conveniently shipped or liandled and will be rea-dy for use in a washer applying device.

A further object is to provide a machine which will accurately sort and string washers on wires with great rapidity and to provide new and improved means for supporting said wires whereby the same may be conveniently removed and replaced when lled with washers and which will 'automatically disengage the Wire when the same is filled with washers.

Other objects are to provide a new and improved washer sorting wheel and to provide a new and improved washer sorting plate whereby washers may be held in a desired-position and strung on a wire and to provide new and improved means for feeding washers thereto.

. The above objects are accomplished and additional ends are attained by the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts herein described and illustrated in the accompanying drawing wherein I have shown a preferred form of theinvention designed :tor use in sorting and Stringing con cavo-convex heel washers, it being understood that the invention is capable of various adaptations and that changes and modifications may be made or resort had to substitutions which come within the scope of the claims hereunto appended.

2d, 1924. deril No. 752,075.

l'n the drawings `in which like characters of reference are used to denote like parts as the same may occur in any of the several views and in which2- Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a washer Sorting and Stringing machine con structed in accordance with this invention. Figure 2 is a front elevational view ot same.

Figure 3 is a top plan View of same.

Figure 4 is a view part-ly in end elevation and partly in `vertical transverse section showing a Washer sorting wheel constructed in accordance with this invention, the sectional view being taken as indicated by the lines 4 4 of Figure 5.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional view of said wheel taken as indicated by the lines of Figure 4. ,Y

Figure 6 is a vertical, sectional view of the supply brackets taken as indicated by the lines 6-6 ot Figure 1 and showing a front elevational view ot' my improved Wire holdnig means.

Figure 7 is an end view of the wire holding member, also showing in side elevation a portion of the bracket in which the same is mounted.

Figure 8 is a plan view of one of the plates employed 1n my improved Washer sorting Wheel.

Figure 9 is a fragmentary, sectional View of a washer sorting and Stringing Wheel illustrating washers in position thereon and the manner in which the same arelstrung on the wires and also showingthe upper portion of the chute into which surplus Washers fall from the Wheel.

Figure 10 is a. plan view of the chutes employed in feeding `washers to buckets on the conveyor belt and in returning surplus washers thereto. Y

Figure 1l is aA front, elevational view of the feeding boX employed in carrying outl the inventionL Brieiy described, the invention provides a plate having Washer engaging or other retaining means along one edge thereof and provides mechanism for depositing Washers upon the plate and means to incline the plate to a plane which will cause the washers to slide over said edge and fall therefrom, certain of said washers being retained along said edge by said engaging means and presented in a'convenient position for. Stringing upon a wire.

Obviously, the said plate may be mounted in various ways and various means and mechanism may be employed to feed washers thereto, all within the spirit of the in-l characters 10c the right side thereof and the A characters 10dl the rear of said frame, The numeral 11 denotes a horizontalshaft which is rotatably mounted in suitable bearings 12 to extend across the forward side 10a of the frame. Mounted on the shaft 11 is a hollow cylindrical hub 13. The hub 13 is provided with a circumferentially extending series of closely spaced parallel,' axially directed slots! 14. In each of said slots is mounted a plate 15, thus forming a plurality of blades each projecting radially from said hub. Each plate 15 is provided at each outer corner thereof with a surface 15 which is inclined to the outer and lateral edges of the plate. The numeral 17 denotes disks, one of which is mounted on each end of the hub 13.- The inner face of each diskl 17 is provided adjacent the circumferential edge thereof with a concentrically arranged annular flange 18 adapted to enga-ge the corner edges 16 and retain the'blades 15 in said grooves. The

numeral 19 denotes nuts, one of which is' threaded en said shaft 11 at each end of the hub 13 to engage the plate 17 and hold the wheel in assembled relation. Each plate 15 is substantially rectangular in form and is provided atithe'outer edge thereof with a plurality ofspacedslots 20. Each plate 15 is'provided at vthe outer edge thereof with a plurality of relatively thin plates 21 which are secured thereto by means of the rivets 22 or other suitable fastening means, each plate 21 is secured to a similar side 15i of the plate 15, one of said plates 21 being positioned at each side of 'each slot 20. Each plate 21 is substantially triangular in form and are' each disposed onv said plate withthe straight side thereof in alinement with the outer edge of the plate and extend between two-of the slots 20, theother sides of the plate 21 extending inwardly along curved lines and converge toa point 21a; the said point being positioned in spaced ,relation to the hub 13. The contour of 'the plates 21 is such that the opposite edges of adjacent plates form a seat 23 over each slot 20. Each Seat 23 is adapted to receive a heel washer 24- and hold the same in a. position with the aperture of the washer in communication with the slot 20. The plates 21 are. of substantially the same thickness as the washers 24, whereby a. concavo-convex washer will be retained in said seat if Apresented thereto, with the concave side of the washer 'against the plate 15, but in case a washer is bracket 26 supports suitable bearings 28 inv which is mounted a wire holding member 2?. The wire holding member is rectangular in cross section and is provided at eachend thereof with a trunnion 2?, one of said trunnions being mounted in each bearing 28. Each bearing 28 is provided with bolts 29 which may be operated to tighten` the bearing whereby the member 27 may be frictionally engaged and adjustably held against rotation. vOne face of the member 2? is provided with a plurality of elongated recesses 30 which are arranged in a. longitudinally extending row as shown 'in Figure 6.

The numeral 32 denotes a wire adapted for use on my` improved machine. The wire 32 is tapered at the upper end thereof to provide a relatively sharp point 32 and at the lower end thereof the wire 32 is turned back to provide the portion 32", whereby the lo\ver end o'f'each wire will lit in one of the slots 30. As will be seen by an examination of Figure 4, the member 27 is arranged so that the upper end of each of the wires is positioned'with the upper end of the 4wire directly in the path-of a washer positioned in one of the seats 23 and that the said wire is received in the slot 20 on two of the plates 15 with its point presented to a slot 20 1n the plate 15 which is positioned immediately above said plates whereby a rotary moven ment of theshaft 11 will bring the opening in a washer positioned in each seat 23 directly above the point of a wire 32 and will position the said washers on the wires. Y

The numeral 33 denotes a drive shaft which is mounted in suitable bearings 34 and extends transversely of the frame 10, in parallel relation to the shaft 11. The sh ft 11 is provided at a point adjacent the sidle 10c of the frame 10 Awith a sprocket wheel 11l which is fixed thereto and the drive shaft 33 is provided `Jvith a like sprocket wheel 3k which .is fixed thereto at lll) which is fixed to said shaft 38.

means a point. in the plane of rotation of the sprocket wheel on the shaft ll. The said sproclret wheels are operatively connected with the drive chain 36, whereby a rotation `of the shaft 33 will cause a rotation of the shaft 11.

"side 10c and is provided with a drive pul- The shaft 33 projects from the 35. The numeral 38 denotes a. shaft le .which is mounted in suitable bearings 39 to extend transversely of the machine in parallel relationwith the-.shaftsll and 33 and the numeral. 40 denotes a sprocket wheel The nu meral 41 denotes a sprocket wheel which is fixed on the shaft 33 at a point in a plane of rotation with the sprocket wheel 40, and the wheels 40 and 41 are operatively lcon nected with the sprocket chain 42.

The numeral 43 denotes a drum which is coaxially fixed on the shaft 38.

I in suitable bearings 45 so as to extend transasf versely across the to of the frame l0 in parallel relation to t e shaft 38. A' drum 46 is mounted on the shaft 44 and a conveyor belt 47 is operatively mounted on the drums 43 and 46. vThe conveyor belt 47 is provided with a longitudinally extending series of buckets 48 which are secured thereon in close spaced relation' forv a purpose to be hereinafter described. f

The-numeral 49 denotes a shaft which is secured in suitable bearings 50 at a point adjacent the top of the frame 10 so as to extend transversely thereacross. A hopper 5l is fixed to saidI shaft'49 so as to be ca numeral 52 denotes a shaft which is mount--l ed 1n suitable bearings, attached to the forr ward face 10EL of the frame. The shaft 52 is provided with a cam wheel 53. The ,hop-

vper 51 is provided at the rear side thereof at a point adjacent the ylower end thereof with a wheel 54 which is positioned thereon to operatively contact with the cam 53 whereby a rotation of the shaft 52 will cause an oscillatingfmovementof the hopper 51. The shaft 52 is provided with a sprocket wheel 55 and the shaft ll with the sprocket wheel 56 and the saidsprocket wheels are operatively connected by'a' sprocket chain 57 whereby a rotation of the shaft l1 will cause an oscillating movement of the hopper 51.

The numeral 58 denotes a supply box which is fixed to the shaft 59, the said shaft being mounted in suitable bearings 60 whereby the box 58 may be rocked as illus- The nu-vv merel 44 denotes a shaft which is mounted,

A side thereof.

box is provided on the forward wall thereof with two slots 64 eachI positioned adjacent the lateral side thereof with the lower wall of each slot on a level with the bottom of the box. The numeral denotes a pitman rod, one end of which is secured to the box in spaced relation to the shaft 59 and the other end thereof is pivotally .secured to the gear wheel 66. The wheel 66 is mounted on a stub shaft 67 which is journaled in a suitable bearing 68 at a point adjacent thc bottom of the frame. The numeral 69 denotes a gear wheel which is fixed on the shaft 38 so as to mesh with the teeth on rthe wheel 66 whereby a rotation of the shaft 38 will cause a box 58.

The numeral 70 denotes a funnel-like receptacle which is positioned below the wash` cr sorting wheel so as to receive the washers as they fall therefrom. The funnel 70 communicates with two chutes 71, one of which is positioned on one side of the belt 47 and the other positioned on the other The chute isbeing inclined downwardly so that washers therein will slide by the force of gravity therethrough. At the lower end of the funnel 70the chutes 71 empty into the chute 72 which is positioned below the lower end rocking movement of the of the chute 71 so as .tol receive the supply of washers delivered thereby andpdirect the same into the oups 48 onthe belt 47. The openings 64 are formed in the box 59 so that one of said openings is directly above cach of the chutes 71., whereby a supply of washersv 59 will be directed through lone of said openings 64, each time the forward end off the box is moved downwardly by the rod 65,. thusv continually depositing a sup* ply of washers to the cups 48.

In use, the kwire holding member 26 is rotated in the bearings 28 to place it in a position whereby the wires 32 may be placed in the recesses 30 with the upper end of each wire entered in one of the slots 20 in two or more plates l5. The arrangement is such deposited thateach wire 32 when placed in an opera- Qtive position will be slightly flexed whereby 4thespring inthe wire will hold it in the tered in alined notches 2O of adjacent'plate's 1 5, the point of the wire will bepresented directly beneath a seat 23 as each plate is moved toward the wire by the rotation of.

the shaft 11. l

To 'operate my improved machine, a quantity of washers are placed in the box 58. Power is applied t0 thelshaft 35 wherwnrdvmovernent of the pitmen G5., the supply of Washers are corrieri 'forward in the. bon 58 whereupon limited number ot' wesh ers through theopenings di `ord :ire deposited upon the chute, Tl troni which they pass by the force of gravity to tirerlmie l and are fed into the roos -li on the in -i the belt being operated ns aforesaid rrics the washers thus dopo" d in the cups; El to the hopper iliel end of the hopper 51,heing positioned directly above my irnprored Washer sorting wheel, deposits a quantity of Washers rin the space between eech plate l and theplnte adjacent thereto. The rotation of the shaft 1l. cnrries each plete .l5 downwardly to an inclination which will cause the supply of Washers to slide along the plete and fall therefrom. ln sorting concavo-convex Washers, the ivzfishers having' their concave side in Contact with the upper edge of the plate l5 will he` engaged by the retaining; plates 2l whereby n washer Will he positioned, concave Aside down, in each of the seats S25-l, all of the Wasliersfexcepting those positioned in the seats 23 as nirreseid will tali from each plate as the plate is further inclined iov the rotation of thoshatt ll. and will fell into the chute -Yl'roin which thesame will pass to the chute Minid-be thus fed to the cups 48 end again carried to the hopper 5l.

lt will thus he seen that a 'Weeber is properly positionedin each Sleat 23 and that the point o each Wire Bil is positioned in the path of a washer thus in the sont 23 so that the aperture in the Washer is brought over the point of the wire hy the rotation of the shaft ll 'and that the Washers will thus strungr on theivires 32. It will also he seen that es euch Wire 32 is lled with ,washers to a point Where the uppermost Washer will engage the inclined face 25 of the plat-es l5, that the Wire. will he moved downwardly ont of the slots Q-Olto a position which will prevent additional Washers from being fed thereon. The arrangement is such that as soon as one of vthe .Wires 32 is filled with washers that it can be easily and quickly removed from the recess in the member 6 and an unfilled Wire placed therein without stopping or in any way in terfering with the operation of the machino. The rapid rotation of the cam Wheel 53 causes a rapid jarring movement of the hopper 51 thus preventing the Washers from clogging in the hopper find causing an even llovv of washers thereirom.

While I have shown and described a ma,-v

chine particularly adapted to sort and string concave convex Washers orv Washers having a convex or bulgediace,r it will be understood that :the machine may be similarly used to string flat Washers on wires and Looe plete inclined to oa while l1 have mounting. the plut-os washers may be eiiy o ouppiy of plate und the f 'Woohoo-1 to :slide by gravity therefrom, it is to he understood that other ineens may he enlityed for nclininfr seid plut-e and While it have .shown the plates l5 provided with a washer engagging' and retaining; plates 2i? it is to be understood he nat the invention is not coniined to the particoiar form of retaining ineens shown and that any convenient means' for engaging; a Washer and holding thc same in position above one of the notches 20 may he employed if desired.

Having thus illustrated n1 invention and described the saine in detai` what l elaiin as new and desire to secure by Letters Pao l; n a Washer Stringing having n notch in one edge thereof7 means to engage si. washer and hold the saine in position over said notch, a Wire, moons to detaciiably hold the Wire in n. fixed position sind ineens to move' said plate 'to the wire to ixnpale the Washer thereon.

EZ. In a washer applying; device, a platin, means to support said plete in an inclined position whereby washers fed thereto will slide over the plato by the foi-ce of gravity; t

the lower edge oit said plate provided rvitly a notch, means adjacent said-notch to enonge one of said .Washers and det-aeliahly hold the same in position with the apertures oi .the washers in communication with the notch, means to support a wire, means to 'move the plate towards the Wire whereby the Wire will he received in. Suid noieh and the said 11frashers strung; thereon.

3. In a washer applying device, a flut plate having notches in one edge thereoiy means to feed. a supply of Washers to said plate, means adjacent each notch to engage and hold a washer in position with the aperture thereof in communication with the notch, a plurality of Wires, means to support said wires with the point of eachwire presented to one of Said notches and means to move the notched edge ofthe plate toward the wire whereby the Wires Will register in Said notches and in the aperture of the wasln ers held in position thereabove.

device, o plete I- lll) means to rotate the Wheel whereby the washers held abore each notch will belted on the Wire.

5. ln a Washer applying' device, a suitable trame, a horizontal shaft journaled thereon, plates projecting radially from said shatt5 each plate provided at the outer edge thereof with a plurality of notches each notch being in circumferential alinement with the like notches in the other plates, means adjacent each notch to engage :i washer and hold the same in a flat position over the notch, a Wire supporting device mounted on said trame at a point below said Wheeh 'wires mounted in said support, the` upper end ot each Wire being' positioned in oi said notches, means to feedl a supply otavash'ers to each plate` whereby the saine will slide therefrom when the plate is inclined bythe rotation of the shaft and means to rotate said shaft to thread the Washer above said notch on the wire positioned therein.

6. In a Washer sorting and Stringing; ma` chine, a suitable frame, a horizontal shaft, journaled thereon, a plurality ot circumferentially spaced radial plates carried thereby, each of said plates provided at the outer edge thereof with a plurality ot spaced slots, 'each of said slots arranged in circuintereutial alinement with asimilar slot in the other plates; m'eans adjacent each slot' 'to engage a Washer and detachably hold it in a position with its aperture over the slot;l

means to support a pluraliy ot`-wires Wherey the same Will extend transversely of a radius of said shaft and will be held in a flexed condition with the end portion thereofbcaring against the bottom of one of said slots and the point thereof positioned in the path of the washer held over the like slot in the adjacent plate; means to feed a supply of Washers between adjacent plates While the same are positioned above the shaft; means to rotate said shaft whereby the plates will be carried to an inclined position which will cause the supply of washers to slide therefrom depositing certain o said washers in said holding means whereby the washer held over said slots will be carried forward to said Wires and strung' thereon.

In a machine for'sorting and Stringing washers of concave-convex shape, a suitable trame, a Washer sorting Wheel mounted thereon, said wheel havin a plurality ot circuinterentially spaced, ra ial platee, each of said plates provided at the outer edge thereof with a plurality of spaced slotsparriinged in circumferential alinement with a similar slot in the other plates; stops arranged adjacent cach slot, said stops projectingr ll'tpm the tace ot' the plate a distance approiiihately equal tothe thickness of the peripheral edge'of the washers whereby a dished Washer will be exiraged thereby it presented thereto with its comme side in contact with the plate and held in position with its aperture over the slot; means lo support a plurality ot wires n'hcrcby the saine will extend transversely of a radius ot' said Awheel and will he held in a flexed condition with the cud portion thereot bcarinpr against the bottom ot' one of said slots and the point thereof positioned in the path of the washer carried over the like slot inthe adjacent plate; means to feed washers to the wheel; means to rotate the wheel whereby the plates will be carried to an inclined position which' will cause the supply ot washers to slide therefrom; certain ot said Washers being engaged by saidstops and held over said .slots whereby the same will be 4carried 'forwarffl to said `wires and strung thereon.

8; in a Washer sorting and stringing machine, a suitable. treme, a Washer sorting n'hcel rotatably mounted thereonT a plurality oi circumferentially spaced radial plates carried by said wheel, eaci of said plates provided at the oi er edil L thereof with a plurality of spaced slots, ach of said slots arranged in circumferential alinement with a' similar slot in the other plates, a stop adjacent each sl'ot arranged to engage a Washer and detachably hold it in a position with its aperture' over thc slot; means to support a plurality of wires whereby the same Will eX- tend trausversel; ot a radiust" said Wheel and will be hel the end portion of each Wire bearing against the bottom of one of said slots and the point thereof positioned in the path of thewasher carried over the like slot in the adjacent plate; a hopper above said wheel, said hop per arranged to aleliver Washers thereto, means to rotate said Wheel and means to'supply Washers to said hopper.

9. In a Washer sorting and Stringing machine, a suitable trame, a Washer sorting Wheel rotatably mounted thereon, a, plurality of circumt'erentially spaced radial plates carried by said Wheel, veach of said plates provided at the outer edge thereof with a plurality of spaced slots, each of said slots arranged in circumferential alinement with a similar slot in the other plates, a Stop adjacent each slot arranged to engage a Washer and dctachably hold it in a position with its aperture over the slot; means to support a plurality ot' Wires whereby the same will ein tend transversely o't a radius of said wheel and will be held in a flexed condition 'with the end portion of each wire bear-ingr1 against the bottom of one ot said slots and the point thereof positioned in the path ot' the Washer carried over the like slot in the adjacent plate; a hopper above said Wheel, said hopper arranged to deliver Washers thereto, means torotate said wheel a conveyor belt mounted on said traine` said belt arranged to carry washers to said hopper and a sitioned below said Wheel, said chute arin a iiexed condition with@ chute po-I Ulti ranged. to receive the lWashers not engaged by seid stops end deliver` the seme to said belt. l0. ln a Washer Stringing device, e plete having e beveled forward edge, :notches extending into said plate from said edge, leans adjacent each notch to engage a Washer and hold the saine in position-over the notch, e wire for each notch, means to detachahly hold said Wires in fixed positions and means to impart e movement to said piste whereby the beveled edge thereof will be moved toward said wires and one of the wires entered in each of seid notches Whereby the Washers held above the notches will be strung thereon.

- plates, ineens edjecent each notch to engage n Washer and deteehebly hold the seme in position thereabove7 e wire or eech row of notches7 means te rotate said 'wheel and -means to feed Washers thereto; means to canse said washers to slide to one edge thereof; e plurality of slots in said edge; a stop et each. side of each slot; said stops projecting from said surface a distance substantiallyV equel to the thickness of the washer, whereby a washer, convex side up will be engaged thereby and held over each o f said slots, a

Wire for each of said slots; means to en port said wires; ineens to present the slotte edge -ot said member to said Wires Awhereby e wire will be entered in each slot and the washers strung thereon, means to receive the washers slidinggvfrom said member and deposit the same in said feeding means.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

l ALGYS SCHONENBERGER. 

